In responding to this phenomenon, the first question that arose was how to create a house for urban people, and the sophistication that goes with it, and yet respects the integrity of the rural landscape – i.e. create an architecture which could make both the urban as well as the rural inhabitant at ease in the house. In architectural terms the issue that then needed to be addressed was that of spatial configurations and the use of appropriate material – how local, organic materials could be juxtaposed with external, industrial materials to create a balanced architectural vocabulary that would reconcile this duality.
The plan was configured around a courtyard which separated, and integrated, the two zones of the house. The client required the house to have a master bedroom, dining, living and kitchen, and quite separately, two guest bedrooms. The idea was not to open up the entire house if only they were there for the weekend. The different functions of the house were organized as two large verandah-like spaces flanking the courtyard. In addition to the central courtyard, a series of smaller service courts were also attached to the kitchen and toilets to act as light shafts, and create a sense of spaciousness for these otherwise compact living spaces.
Furthermore, a series of parallel load-bearing walls in basalt stone were used to define and enclose the different spaces of the house. The roof over the main areas were covered with galvanized iron sheets, while over the service areas are flat slabs – facilitating easy access to maintain the sloping roof. In addition, the flat slabs act as large gutters collecting the rain water which is trained to the coconut grove adjoining the house.
The house is a response to the larger issues of building in the Tropics. It is our belief that beyond the obvious responses to climatic and cultural references, in architectural terms a crucial issue is the acceptance of dualities in stylistic expression as being integral to building in India. And in dealing with these on their own terms, facilitates a integration of varied architectural elements as well as allows one to employ and combine different technologies appropriate in terms of sustainability, weathering and environmental impact.
ASSESSMENT:
The house merges with the country side. The main features which I appreciate is the openness of the house which provides sunshine & breeze most times of the year. The materials used provide for easy maintenance.